The food industry is always changing, but the last two years have seen some unprecedented shifts.
The hoarding behaviors of 2020 and the labor shortages that have slowed down suppliers and restaurants might still linger on. But now we are looking forward to the new trends that will emerge in the food and beverage industry throughout the coming years.
How will the food landscape change this year? Keep reading to find out about the top food trends to look out for.
Greenhouse Farming
Food prices will most likely continue to increase as inflation rises and supply issues continue. Thanks to advancements in manufacturing, packaging, and transportation the food we eat comes from all over the world. But supply issues can impact the way we get it.
Unfortunately, we can’t say that the issues of the last two years will be gone. Fires, floods, and droughts look to continue with increasing severity. This will surely impact farmers and suppliers who experience these disasters.
In addition, laws are continuing to tighten around pesticides. Some farmers are dealing with pest attacks as a result.
One way around this has been to pivot to greenhouse growing facilities. This is a safe and efficient way to produce crops. Food items like tomatoes, strawberries, and leafy greens are becoming common greenhouse crops. The downside is how expensive it can be to set up a large greenhouse space.
Sustainable Food Systems
Sustainability will continue to grow as a priority around food processing and consumption.
Sustainability in the global food system is a priority for the United Nations. It is taking the front seat in the UN Food Summit and the UN Climate Conference. Food labels are starting to show the information regarding the carbon footprint of the item in an effort to increase mindfulness in producers and consumers.
Consumers are showing a trend towards buying more of these mindful products.
Something that is putting pressure on the food industry now is the drive to replace plastic packaging. While everyone wants to be mindful of their waste, food safety makes it a bit complicated. Plastics are viewed as the safest way to package food. We will see innovative ways to be able to safely package our food while reducing plastic waste.
More Plant-Based Options
Demand for vegan products will continue to rise. Including "fake" meats.
Some of these products will fall by the wayside as consumers become smarter about their options. While some of these options qualify as vegan, they might not be healthy or sustainable. Others claim to be replacements for meats and dairy products, but don't offer an experience close enough to the real thing.
However, there are products that are hitting the mark in all categories and continuing to gain popularity. More high-quality options will pop up as local companies use healthy, locally sourced ingredients that satisfy demand.
The traditional meat companies are investing in their own plant-based ventures as demand for it continues to grow. Plant-based milk is also on the rise.
Improved Food Safety Measures
Increased attention will be brought to food safety and stopping food born illnesses.
The Food and Drug Administration has been revising rules surrounding agricultural water in an effort to minimize risks associated with leafy greens and other produce during the food manufacturing stage. Similar attention has been raised around foods that can carry salmonella.
The FDA is also stepping up its actions, with plans to improve the speed and effectiveness with which they respond to foodborne outbreaks. They are focusing on four areas to improve that include operational improvements, analysis improvements, technology improvements, and investigation improvements. This is all happening inside of their New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative.
Stay In the Know About Current Food Trends
Even the most educated projections about food trends can be wrong. The food and beverage industry can change overnight.
Get all the information you need about current trends, good manufacturing practices, and more by checking out our site.